In September 2015, the AIANC Board of Directors made a major long-term commitment to public engagement and architecture, through the funding of local grants with the ACTIVATE North Carolina program. Our local components jumped at the opportunity to create public outreach events that highlighted the value of design in our communities.

This 2016 end of year report is a documentation and celebration of ACTIVATE events that occurred throughout the year in each component. Please enjoy having a look at the success of an incredible ACTIVATE 2016. We look forward to an even more active 2017!

On Wednesday, June 22, Jury Chair Frank Harmon, FAIA announced the winners of the 2016 Urban Housing Design Competition.

The jury was very impressed with the range and quality of the design submissions. The competitors showed an unbounded interest and energy to find an appropriate solution to the challenge of housing in general and to responding appropriately to the site in particular. Many designs were original and thought-provoking,others were richly developed in detail and atmosphere.

We would like to share the results of the 2015 Tiny Home Community Ideas Competition. We received over 100 entries, each of which was reviewed carefully by the Activate14 program committee. A shortlist of 21 entries was presented to the Design Jurors on June 10, 2015.

We showed the winners boards at the Oak City Outreach Center, where homeless people gather for food and other services. They were overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of the submissions. We've also used the designs to start discussions with our City Council members. They are eager to make this project a reality.